Sparks fly between a football pro and an ex-WNBA player. But he needs to prove that he’s more than a sports hero if he wants it all in this steamy standalone from the New York Times-bestselling author of Down & Dirty and Hot & Heavy.

Tanner: I may be a baller, but I’ve always tried to do the right thing. Maybe it’s because I’ve been in charge of my four younger sisters for half my life, or because I understand how important it is to be a role model—something I learned from my grandfather, a Southern Baptist preacher who marched with Martin Luther King, Jr. Either way, my pro football career makes it easier to give back, so when a local rec center needs help, I do my best to even the playing field. And not just because Elara Vance, the smoking hot ex-WNBA player who runs the place, has me looking to score off the field.

Elara: Before I got sidelined by an injury, my time on the court taught me that pro athletes are all flash and no substance. Sure, Tanner Green talks a good game and wields a big checkbook, but I’m not buying the whole good guy routine. Still, it’s hard to miss all the good he’s doing for my rec center and even harder to ignore the way one look from him makes me tremble in all the best ways. I just wish I knew if he’s for real. Something tells me a little one-on-one might be the only way to find out. . . .

First impressions are always the best. Every book wants a cover that blows the readers socks off when looking at it. And this cover did knock my socks off, for the most part. Look at the model. He is exactly what I thought Tanner would look like. And he is major eye candy too. But, when I look at the cover, my eyes are drawn to his armpit instead of his eyes. Which is a shame because those eyes are gorgeous. But I can’t keep my eyes off the pit…sigh. I keep thinking “Is he going to turn his head and do a BO check?”

Rough & Ready are Tanner and Elara’s story. Elara is a former WNBA player whose career was ended when she suffered a knee injury. The rec center that she runs is her life. When a major backer doesn’t come through with a 15 million dollar donation and gives it to another foundation, Elara sees red. Tanner is a major league football player with a huge heart. Raising his 4 sisters after his parents’ deaths, he has become known as footballs nice guy. His foundation had received a 15 million dollar donation, which he was thrilled about. But when a tall, angry blonde walks into the locker room after a game and tells him off in front of the offensive line, Tanner wants to get to know her better. But Elara has severe trust issues after an abusive past relationship. Can she open her heart to Tanner and let him in? Or will her past not allow her to?

While I love reading about strong, independent women, I though Elara was a witch with a b. I know that 15 million dollars would have gone a long way with her rec center. To use her friend who works with the team to go to a game and then use that pass to bust into the locker room to freak out on him wasn’t cool. Not letting him defend himself wasn’t cool. Everything that she said in that tirade wasn’t cool. She let her temper run her mouth. But, as I got more into the book, the more I began to understand her. Elara was a fiercely independent woman. She was a woman who never fit into any molds that people tried to force her into. Because of that, she has become used to dealing with things herself. So her reaction to Tanner’s supposed “stealing” was normal. Her relationships with her kids at the rec center were sweet and showed a softer side. She also showed a more vulnerable side when she told Tanner about the abuse she experienced. By the end of the book, I was still on the fence about her, though.

Tanner was awesome. Yes, I am “Team Tanner“. He was a stand-up guy. What guy would take on raising 4 girls, all in various stages of being a teenager? His foundation brought sports to those who couldn’t afford it and it was in all 50 states. I thought that he handled Elara’s tirade perfectly. All he wanted was to put pants on and discuss things with her. He did end up discussing things with her but it led to so much more. When he lost his temper, he did it in the spectacular way possible. Also in the most public way possible too…lol.

I didn’t get a romantic vibe from Tanner and Elara’s relationship. There was zero romance. There was no build-up of the relationship. It went from her being mad at him to them being in a relationship. Normally, I would be fine with the lack of build up. But in this case, I was a little disappointed. I wanted to see Tanner woo Elara. I guess he did by donating to her rec center.

Even though the romantic vibe was missing, the chemistry and sexual tension were not. Tanner and Elara had crazy bunny sex everywhere. They were nonstop. What I liked is that the sexual tension didn’t die after their first hook up. Loved it!!

While the main storylines were ended, I did have an issue with the storyline about Elara’s ex being left up in the air. I wish the author had given some sort of ending to it. I did like that Tanner beat some sense into the guy but there was talk about exposing him. Then it was never brought back up. I wanted to know if justice happened.

I did like the end of the book. I liked that Elara and Tanner were able to talk about what happened and continue with their relationship. I was left feeling a bit unsatisfied. Like I mentioned in the previous paragraph, the whole storyline with Elara’s ex was left up in the air. I also wanted to see how Tanner’s sisters took to his relationship. I kinda wanted to see more of Tina too. She was sassy.

What I liked about Rough & Ready:

Tanner. He was such a nice guy.

The sex. It was hot

The end of the book

What I disliked about Rough & Ready:

Elara. I thought she was a witch with a b for most of the book.

No romantic vibe

Storylines being left up in the air

I gave Rough & Ready a 3.5-star rating. The book was well written with compelling characters. The sex scenes were hot and I loved the end of the book. But, Elara killed the book for me in the beginning. Even though her character improved, I couldn’t get past the first scene. I also got no romantic vibe. Storylines were left up in the air.

I would give Rough & Ready an Adult rating. There is explicit sex. There is violence. There is language. There are a couple of scenes that discuss being raped and assaulted while drugged. Those could cause triggers. I would recommend that no one under the age of 21 read this book.

I would reread Rough & Ready. I would also recommend this book to family and friends. I would include a note about possible triggers.

I would like to thank Random House Publishing Group, Loveswept, and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review Rough & Ready.

Magically gifted aristocrats rule–and commoners are doomed to serve. But a rebellion threatens the old order. The dystopian trilogy that began with Gilded Cage and Tarnished City concludes.

In a world where the lower classes must endure ten years of forced service to unfairly advantaged, magically powered rulers, a teenage boy dreams of rebellion, his older sister yearns for love and knowledge, and a dangerous young aristocrat seeks to remake the world with his dark gifts. In Bright Ruin, the final book in the trilogy set in modern-day England, our heroes will lead a revolution that will transform–or destroy–the world.

My review:

This book. Has left me. Wordless. Talk about having everything turned upside down and inside out. I can’t even get my thoughts together to write a review that makes sense…lol. But I will try.

I was excited to read Bright Ruin. I had loved the previous two books in the Dark Gifts trilogy and I was expecting to feel the same about Bright Ruin. Which I did. But this book also left me with a what the heck feeling. Why? Because of the ending. But I will get to that later in the review.

Out of all the characters in the book, I thought Gavar shined in this book. His character development from Gilded Cage was amazing. He went from being a pawn of his father to someone who decided to shake off the yoke of oppression that he lived under. I did have my doubts about him while reading Bright Ruin. I had doubts about his allegiances. But, I came to realize that the only one he was loyal too was Libby and through association, Daisy. That everything he did in Bright Ruin was to safeguard them. Of course, he was doing it under duress but still.

Speaking about Gavar brings me to Silyen. I didn’t know what to make of him for most of the book. The author did a great job at keeping his true intentions under wraps until the end of the book. Even when Luke and he met the King, I still had doubts about his true intentions. I should have known after the King’s death scene that Silyen had something up his sleeve. I also should have known when he made that deal with Dog “A life and an escape“. Grrrr. I also should have known his true intentions towards Luke. Thinking back, there were enough hints, I didn’t add them up. I will say that the kiss was electric and I am glad it was left at that.

I didn’t like Abi as much as I did in the first two books. I don’t know why I didn’t. I do think that she saw something in Gavar that surprised her. She saw goodness and the potential to help instead of harm. Which is why she trusted him with the plans to help break her parents out of where they were being held. Which is why she didn’t blame him for what happened when she found out the truth. I did like the change in her from the first book. She went from someone who accepted what life was thrusting at her to someone who dared to change things. That change was electric. A big part of that change was Jenner’s betrayal at the Blood Festival. But the other half of that change happened when things went sideways when her parents were rescued. Those events shaped her into who she became at the end of the book.

I thought Luke was useless in this book. Until Silyen took him to Crovan’s island. Then I realized, hey he is useful. I thought his relationship with Silyen was one of master and slave. But, as I read Luke’s part of the book, I realized that Luke was providing Silyen with something. I didn’t know what. Like I mentioned above, I was shocked at the kiss between them. But, I was also shocked by what Luke did at Silyen’s request. That took more bravery than anyone in the entire book. But, like I said above, I should have known it was coming. That whole death scene with the King was a huge indicator of what was going to happen. I failed to see it.

I want to mention how much I liked Dog in this book. I loved that the author gave him a voice and a purpose in this book. I also liked that his humanity was showing more and more. It counteracted nicely with what I knew about him.

It was the last chapter that bothered me. Luke’s storyline was not resolved. As was Coira’s, the King’s and Silyen’s. To end the book the way it did make me go “WHHHHHYYYYYY????” I can only hope that the author is going to do some sort of sequel to Bright Ruin. Something that explained what happened.

What I liked about Bright Ruin:

A) Gavar.

B) The kiss between Luke and Silyen

C) Dog

What I disliked about Bright Ruin:

A) What Silyen asked Luke to do

B) The end of the book

C) Abi. Just didn’t like her

I gave Bright Ruin a 4-star rating. This is a fantastic dystopian book. The characters were well fleshed out and the world building was amazing. I did have an issue with the ending. Other than that, loved the book.

I would give Bright Ruin an Older Teen rating. There is no sex (other than that amazing kiss between Silyen and Luke). There is violence. There is mild language. I would recommend that no one under the age of 16 read this book.

I would reread Bright Ruin. I would also recommend this book to family and friends.

I would like to thank Random House Publishing Book-Ballantine, Del Ray, and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review Bright Ruin.

From USA Today bestselling author Kieran Kramer comes Second Chance at Two Love Lane, a fast-paced tale about the intoxicating effects of fame and what happens when a past romance is rekindled behind the silver screen.

Sometimes love is waiting in the second act…

In her professional career, Ella Mancini plays matchmaker at Two Love Lane but, in her personal life, she takes the stage at the Dock Street Theatre. Now she has a chance at a new role in a Hollywood movie that happens to be filming in Charleston—one that features a big-name actress, Samantha Drake. Long ago, Ella passed up a major audition while awaiting a marriage proposal. Not only didn’t she get the role; she never got the ring, either. Instead, her boyfriend Hank went on to become a huge film star…leaving her, and all her dreams, behind.

But now Hank’s back in Charleston, cast as the male lead in the same movie Ella’s in. In spite of the dramatic tension off-screen, he and Ella try to stay cool onset. But when their old feelings start to heat up—at the same time leading-lady Samantha tries to play Cupid—all bets are off. How can Hank convince Ella, after all this time, that she’s the one he really wants to be within real life—and that some happy, rom-com endings really can come true?

My Review:

The plot of Second Chance at Two Love Lane was simple. Ella is a matchmaker. She is also an actress who failed to make it big. She turned down the role of a lifetime because she thought her long-term boyfriend was going to propose. Not only did he not propose but he ended up becoming an A-list movie star. Ella is bitter over that. She also has never gotten over Hank. Imagine her surprise when she finds out that he is in Charleston filming and he is the cousin of her new friend, Pammy. Hank is able to get Ella a small part on his movie. Soon, they are reconnecting. Ella wants to keep Hank at arm’s length. But it doesn’t happen. Can she let go of the past to embrace the future? Or will she be left behind and heartbroken, again?

Ella got on my nerves. I know suddenly ending a relationship sucks, I have been there myself. But to hold onto it for 10 years. A little excessive, if you ask me. I know her heart was broken but still. I kept breaking out (in my head) “Let it go“. I did like her, though. Her relationship with her mother, sisters, cousins, and nonnas was amazing. Not to mention her friends. She had a huge heart.

I didn’t know what to think of Hank. He didn’t like being a superstar. All he wanted was to be left alone….which wouldn’t happen because he’s famous. But as the book went on, I started to like him. He wanted to make things right with Ella. He didn’t know how to make things right with her. Getting her that small part in his movie was part of that. I started liking him by that point. He wanted more from Ella but he wasn’t going to push her into anything she didn’t want. He knew that she was still dealing with her feelings from 10 years ago. By the end of the book, I was crushing on him hardcore. If I had any doubts about his feelings for Ella, they went away by the ending.

The chemistry and sex scenes with Hank and Ella were lukewarm. I couldn’t get into those scenes as much as I wanted to. I didn’t get a hint of chemistry between them which reflected in the sex scenes. Don’t get me wrong, they were beautifully written. They didn’t do it for me.

The secondary characters made this book. Mainly Miss Thing. When I first saw her name, I thought “Maybe its a typo“. But no, it isn’t. I loved her!!! I also liked Samantha and Pammy.Samantha made me laugh with her not so subtle ways of trying to get Hank and Ella together. That whole dinner that she set up cracked me up. I loved Pammy too. She was refreshingly real. From her telling Ella that she had a nice butt (which cracked me up) to her unlikely romance with the mayor of Charleston, she made me laugh.

I also liked Ella’s family. They were large, loud and they love each other. It was the sub-storyline about Ella’s mother that made me tear up. I wasn’t expecting it. Neither was her mother or Ella.

The end of Second Chance at Two Love Lane was your typical romance novel ending. I did like what Hank did to Ella. Tied in perfectly with the book. The author did a great job of taking all the sub-storylines and tying them into the main storyline. I was not left wondering about anything. Which happens more often than I can count.

What I liked about Second Chance at Two Love Lane:

A) The secondary characters

B) Ella’s family

C) The end of the book

What I disliked about Second Chance at Two Love Lane:

A) Ella. She got on my nerves up until she got the part in the movie

B) The chemistry and sex scenes were lukewarm

C) Hank. I was iffish about him most of the book.

I gave Second Chance at Two Love Lane a 4-star rating. This was a cute romance with relatable characters. While I did not like Ella or Hank at the beginning of the book, they did grow on me. My only major complaint is that the sex scenes were lukewarm. As was the chemistry between Hank and Ella. Other than that, I liked the book.

I gave Second Chance at Two Love Lane an Adult rating. There is sex. There is mild violence. There is language. I would recommend that no one under the age of 21 read this book.

I would reread Second Chance at Two Love Lane. I would also recommend this book to family and friends.

I would like to thank St. Martin’s Paperbacks and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review Second Chance at Two Love Lane.

All opinions stated in this review of Second Chance at Two Love Lane are mine.

She’s never had a no-strings fling. He’s never had anything else. But maybe this time will be an exception?

After a year of mourning her fiancé, Alexis Parker has worked hard to rediscover what she wants out of life. Fresh out of the military and back stateside, her brother offers her a marketing job at the Stag Distillery. Ready for a new challenge, Alexis agrees to accompany her new co-worker Jake Cooperon a Stag cross-country promotional tour. He may have an infamous playboy reputation, but Alexis is surprised to find out that there is more to him than meets the eye. And she likes what she sees. . .

Jake promised Alexis’s brother that he’d be an absolute gentleman. Of course, that was before he and Alexis hit the road, and they both agree that what Alexis’s big brother doesn’t know won’t hurt him. The plan: to keep their fling confined to the RV, and everything will go back to normal once they head home. Things progress in ways neither of them could have imagined, and Jake realizes that he and Alexis make a perfect mix. Can he convince her that he’s ready to shake things up and give true love a shot?

My review:

Maybe for You broke my heart. I should have known that this book was going to make me cry by the first chapter. Alexis’s pain over Nate’s death was gut-wrenching. It came off the pages in waves. My heart broke for her. She needed to start healing. The first step to doing that was her taking the post in Italy. What I liked is that the author didn’t detail Alexis’s time in Italy. All I knew is that when she came home, she had somewhat healed and was starting to live again. Which was great and set the tone for the rest of the book.

I liked Alexis. What I liked is that she was human. She wasn’t perfect. She made mistakes. She had the same insecurities. It made for a more believable character. I connected to her. Mainly in the last half of the book. Everything that she felt, I felt. She did have her flaws. She kept pushing Jake away. She kept him at arm’s length. She was confused about what she felt about him. I loved it!!!

I liked Jake. He was exactly what he presented. The only thing is that he liked the ladies and the ladies liked him. I did think that it was messed up that the father of a grown woman complained to his business partners about Jake sleeping with his daughter. I also found it a little creepy. I liked that he was there for Alexis no matter what. I did agree with what he said when Alexis found out what she did. He wasn’t perfect. He had a temper. He had a rep as a playboy. But it was those imperfections that made his characters.

I loved that the romance in this book wasn’t Instalove. I don’t have anything against Instalove but it gets old in romance novels. So, when I see a novel where the relationship is built up, I love it. So, yes, I was happy with the romance in this book. Jake and Alexis had a year to build a relationship via text. For some people, that might not be enough but Jake and Alexis talked every day for a year. A relationship was built. I also liked how the author chose to have Alexis and Jake overcome their relationship issues. They fought like normal people but they always ended up talking it out.

Like the romance, the chemistry between Jake and Alexis grew during the first few chapters. I did have one small complaint. Not even a complaint, an observation. But how did she not feel hin when she was grinding up against him? I mean, its pretty obvious. Not talking from experience or anything…lol. Anyways, that chemistry leads to some red-hot sex. I needed a fan after the first scene. The other sex scenes, while not as hot, were still hot in their own sense. But nothing was like that first scene.

Now, I haven’t read the other books. The author did a great job at keeping the other characters, Dean and Charlotte/T.J. and Jen, in the background. I liked it. So yeah, the author did a great job at keeping them in the background where they belonged. Saying that, though, the secondary characters did make the book. If I had to have favorites, it would be Charlotte and Regina. Charlotte because she didn’t take crap from anyone. Regina because she was sweet and understanding.

The secondary storylines added depth to the book. Instead of taking over a book and leaving questions, they added to it. The author was able to tie them to the main storyline by the end of the book.

The end of the book was fantastic. I won’t lie, I had tears running down my face. It was that moving and a perfect ending for this book!! Also, the epilogue made me cry too. Ugly crying for the last half of the book FTW!!

What I liked about Maybe for You:

A) Alexis’s healing

B) The romance between Alexis and Jake

C) The epilogue

What I disliked about Maybe for You:

A) Alexis’s keep pushing Jake away

B) Jake’s temper

C) The other sex scenes weren’t as hot as the first one.

I gave Maybe for You a 4-star rating. The characters were relatable and the plotline was engaging. I did think that the sex scenes, after the first one, lacked some of the heat of the first one. I also didn’t like Alexis pushing Jake away many times. But other than that, it was a good read.

I gave Maybe for You an Adult rating. There is sex. There is language. There is some very mild violence. I would recommend that no one under the age of 21 read this book.

I would reread Maybe for You. I would also recommend it to family and friends.

I would like to thank St. Martin’s Paperbacks, St. Martin’s Press, and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review Maybe for You.

The stunning conclusion to the Blood Type series finds the world in chaos and turmoil with one final battle left to determine who will survive—humans or vampires.

She had the world on her shoulders. Now she has nothing.

Reyna Carpenter was twenty-one when she became a live-in blood escort for the ruthless and darkly handsome vampire Beckham Anderson. She thought this was just a small price to pay for feeding her brothers back home.

But nothing went as planned. Not even her tumultuous relationship with Beckham. And now she wonders if anything will ever be the same again.

As she finds herself in the midst of a losing rebellion, she and her trusted friends must flee from a city conquered by the vampire élite. With their plans blown to pieces and everything they knew and loved gone, their future hangs in the balance.

Despite all she has lost, Reyna must rise from the ashes, reclaim the life that was stolen—and complete her mission, once and for all.

OMG. What did I read? What happened in this book!! I can’t even!!! I was expecting Blood Cure to be good but I wasn’t expecting it to be THAT good. I couldn’t believe what I read. I couldn’t believe what was revealed. Kudos to the author for pulling off an ending that stunned me.

If the series lacked sex in the first two books, it was more than made up in Blood Cure. Reyna and Beckham went at it like rabbits. Also, the chemistry that they had been insane. I needed a fan after a couple of the sex scenes…they were that hot.

I liked that Beckham finally told Reyna about his past. I wasn’t too surprised by what he told her. I had a feeling that he wasn’t a nice guy back in the day. But the true scope of what he was and what he did made me shudder. What he did to his sister was awful and heartbreaking. Reyna didn’t even blink twice when he told her. It didn’t even bother her when he admitted what he did. He was remorseful but still.

Reyna was the star of this book. She was determined to beat Harrington at his game. She became the figurehead for Elle after Visage tried to take the group down. After finding out about her blood, she was willing to let the Dr study it. I couldn’t get enough of her in this book and was sad when it ended. Beckham was her only weakness.

What I said about Beckham aside, I liked him. He became fully fleshed out in this book. His worry for Reyna came across loud and clear. He was willing to risk his life so that Reyna could meet her goals. I did think that he should have seen Penny for who she was sooner. Also, I was creeped out about his past. Other than that, I loved him.

Harrington was truly an evil man. But, I felt bad for him. When his past was explained, I could understand why he was the way he was. But that doesn’t excuse the direction he pointed Visage in or what he did to Reyna when she was being held captive. I thought the end of his storyline was perfect!!!

I do have a small complaint about Jodie. I understood her need to find her cousin but man, really, a strip club? I was surprised at who she hooked up with at the end of the book. Very surprised.

I loved the storyline involving Reyna’s blood, soulmates, and Beckham. I was happy to see Beckham try to make right with his sister. I was happy to see that Reyna’s blood was able to pave the way. But it was sad. That poor woman.

All the storylines in the Blood Type series were ended in Blood Cure. The author did a fantastic job of wrapping them all up. I did have a question about Graves. Who or what the heck was he? It was never answered in the book. I was thinking some sort of incubus but I don’t know. All I know is that he was a combination of sex and danger.

The end of Blood Cure was as good as I expected it to be. Like I mentioned above, I enjoyed how Reyna beat Harrington at his game.

What I liked about Blood Cure:

A) Beckham finally coming clean to Reyna about his past

B) Reyna

C) The sex

What I disliked about Blood Cure:

A) Harrington

B) Jodie. She drove me nuts in this book

C) What Beckham did to his sister.

I would give Blood Cure an Adult rating. There is explicit sex. There is graphic violence. There is language. I would recommend no one under the age of 21 read this book.

I would reread Blood Cure. I would also recommend this book to family and friends.

I would like to thank Random House Publishing Group, Loveswept, and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review Blood Cure.

Escaping to Earth changed Zola’s life forever. She found happiness on a foreign planet. And she found truths from an unlikely ally.

Zola has never wanted to claim her throne…

Until now.

Because now, the people of her planet need her.

And she’s tired of running.

It won’t be easy taking on an old and controlling group of power-hungry dictators, though. And she’s going to need all the help she can get to claim her crown and prove the Court has been wrongly guiding the galaxy for centuries.

Zola was once an innocent marred by war.

This time, though, she’s not so innocent anymore.

My review:

I wasn’t too sure what to expect when I started reading The Ascending. I knew that big things were going to happen. It was the when and where that got me sucked into reading it. I couldn’t put this book down. I read it within 1 1/2 days. I couldn’t help but not care for Zola, Pin, Zin, and Florix. The author did a fantastic job of taking already fleshed out characters and adding more depth to them. She also did a great job of throwing in some small twists in the plot that took me by surprise.

The Ascending takes place shortly after the events of The Forgotten. Zola is getting ready to take her throne back from the Court, a group of dictators that have ruled Vitcian, and the galaxy, for centuries. But she is prepared to fight them. She is not the same girl who stumbled upon her destiny. She has seen war. She has killed people and she is willing to do whatever it takes for her people. But can she do it? Can she take on the Court and win? Or will she be another victim in the Court’s schemes?

Zola is one of my favorite characters in this book. While she didn’t want to be queen, she still did it because it was the right thing. She dealt with all the drama that surrounded her with amazing maturity. She became a woman who was ready to do what it took to free her people from a dictatorship. I was bothered by her lack of connection with Florix. But, looking back, I could understand why she kept her distance from her. I mean, Florix did try to kill her on Talan’s orders.

Pin drove me freaking nuts the entire book. He was still blowing hot and cold with Zola. There were scenes where I was ready to reach through my Kindle and shake him. Talk about frustrating. Other than that, I liked him. He was loyal to Zola and was willing to fight the Court to help her gain her throne.

Florix was a great addition to the book. The author did a great job at having me question her loyalty to Zola. I wish that more background was given about her younger years. Her training, how she met Talan, how she dealt when her bond was severed with Zola. I am hoping that the author considers writing a spin-off book about her. I know that I would be very interested.

I thought that the science fiction angle of the book was great. I do wish that more insight was given into the portals/ships/other lifeforms. But everything that the author did explain was fantastic!!! The fantasy angle was fantastic also.

The romance angle of the book was great, even though I wanted to punch Pin. I didn’t doubt that he loved her but man, he needed to show it more often. Like I said above, he blew hot and cold with Zola. One minute, he loved her. The next, he was back to being her protector and having walls up. It drove me crazy because that’s not how it was supposed to work.

The author did have a couple of twists in the plot that I didn’t see coming. Also, there are a couple of main characters that leave/get killed off. At least one of those I was surprised at.

I will say that this book can be bloody. The author didn’t hold back on the battle scenes. Which is awesome because you don’t see many YA books that embrace violence. Most of them are sunshine and rainbows. Not this one!!!

The end of The Ascending was great. The author wrapped up all the storylines in a way that satisfied me. The only one that wasn’t resolved was the storyline about Rhea. I am hoping that there is a book coming out of it because I want to know what is going to happen.

Now onto why I rated The Ascending4 stars. I enjoyed the book. It was a fitting end for the series. I connected with the characters. Why it didn’t make 5 stars? Well, I didn’t like how Pin treated Zola for most of the book. The Rhea storyline was left unfinished. I felt that some of the battle scenes were a little too violent for a YA book. But, like I said at the beginning of this paragraph, I enjoyed the book.

What I liked about The Ascending:

A) I enjoyed the story

B) The book was a fitting end for the series

C) I connected with the characters

What I disliked about The Ascending:

A) How Pin treated Zola

B) The Rhea storyline being left unfinished

C) Some of the battle scenes were a little too violent for a YA book.

I would give The Ascendingan Older Teen rating. There is sex (but it is not explicit). There is violence. There is no language. I would recommend that no one under the age of 16 read this book.

I would reread The Ascending. I would also recommend it to family and friends.

I would like to thank the author for allowing me to read and review The Ascending.

Ex-Navy SEAL Cabe Moss always comes when called to duty―at all costs. Even though the death of his fiancée nearly destroyed him, Cabe won’t let his past interfere with any work that has to get done. When his latest task pushes him to team up with FBI Agent Amy Murray, a fierce beauty with the undercover skills to match, Cabe must admit that, for the first time in years, he wants to do more than just complete their mission together…

Amy was born ready for this assignment, but working side-by-side with the strong, silent, and frustratingly professional Cabe seems to be the biggest challenge of all. But when the sparks begin to fly―and the stakes rise to dangerous heights―the only thing Amy is left worrying about is how she can resist him. Their lives may be in danger, but their hearts hold the biggest risk of all…

My review:

I didn’t like Deep Cover when I started reading it. But, the more I read Deep Cover, the more I realized that I judged the book by the first chapter. This book is so much more than Amy and Cabe’s relationship. I enjoyed the plotline about the missing girls. I enjoyed reading about Amy’s time undercover as a card dealer at a casino. I enjoyed how I was kept on the edge of my seat when Amy went off the grid.

Deep Cover is not a stand-alone book. You do need to read the first two books of the Love Over Duty series to understand some of the backstories. The author did a great job of doing catch up in the first couple of chapters. I would recommend reading the first two books before this one.

The romance between Amy and Cade was slow-moving. I felt that the romance came after the sex, as weird as that sounds. While Amy was sexually attracted to Cade, I didn’t get any sign of a romance between them. Because Cade was holding back. It wasn’t until after Cade went to Jess’s grave that I felt the romance came into the book.

Speaking of sex, Amy and Cade had red-hot sex. Sizzling sex. Steaming up the screen of my Kindle sex. I loved it because Amy was a good sexual match for Cade.

The storyline involving the missing girls was fantastic. I enjoyed reading about Amy going undercover at the casino. I also enjoyed reading about it on Cade’s end. How he was trying to get into the inner circle of Popov through gambling. I loved it when Woods started grooming Amy to go on the boat. I knew that something was going to happen. When stuff went down, it went down exactly how I thought it was going to happen.

I did have an issue with how Cade treated Amy after they started sleeping together. He went hot and cold with her. I didn’t blame her for getting mad. If I were her, I know that I would have smacked him upside the head. Thankfully Six verbally did that to him. Made Cade see that treating Amy the way he did was not cool.

The end of the book was action packed. From the moment that Amy was on that boat, I didn’t expect it to be anything but. I loved how Cade came through for her. I also loved the epilogue. I might have cried a teeny bit.

What I liked about Deep Cover:

A) The plotline with the missing girls

B) Amy being undercover

C) The suspense!!!

What I disliked about Deep Cover:

A) Not a stand-alone book

B) Slow moving romance

C) How Cade treated Amy after they started sleeping together

I would give Deep Cover an Adult rating. There is explicit sex. There is language. There is violence. I would recommend that no one under the age of 21 read this book.

I would recommend Deep Cover to family and friends. I would also reread this book.

I would like to thank St. Martin’s Paperbacks, St. Martin’s Press, and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review Deep Cover.